Print

Mail

wiki links

LETTERS: English lessons for leaders

It is high time someone spoke up and advised the Taiwan Government that when they use the terms "mainland" to refer to China and "province" to refer to Taiwan, they are shooting themselves in the foot politically. The improper use of these words makes native speakers wonder if the government has erred in English, or if they actually do know what they are doing, linguistically speaking.

Those in the West who are politically conscious know that China arrogantly believes Taiwan belongs to them and Taiwan denies this vehemently. Yet every time the Taiwan Government or press refers to China as the "mainland," they acknowledge China's claim.

In popular English use, mainland is "the continent or the main part of a continent distinguished from an offshore island, cape or peninsula" and connotes ownership and/or possession.

The word "province" is just as straightforward. The second most common definition of the word includes: "an administrative district or division of a country." This second definition is the one most often attributed to the word.

If Taiwan is not, as the West is being led to believe, a province of China, why then, do we find the Taiwan tax office labeled "National Tax Administration of Northern Taiwan Province?" We find listings for Taiwan Provincial Government. Are we to believe Taiwan is a province of itself? Clearly, if the the Taiwan Government and people believe they are a province of China, why should the West dispute them?

The third word that makes Westerners wonder what is really going on in the minds of the Taiwan government is "memorial."

The name Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is correct and befitting this shrine to a dead person. A proposed name change to "Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall" says that democracy in Taiwan is dead and this is the memorial to it. A memorial can only be constructed to someone or something that is deceased or otherwise no longer a viable entity.

There are numerous free online dictionaries; why does no one in the government (ruling or opposition parties) choose to use them?

Until the government decides to put its own English-language house in order, I suggest it stop berating students for their English. Taiwan has a wealth of qualified English professionals living here. I urge you to make suitable use of your resources.

Taiwan Government English proficiency grade: Fail.

Stephen Riter

Taipei

This story has been viewed 1299 times.